More than a week after two young sisters were discovered dead inside a Ladson residence, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Carl Ritchie face escalating criticism for refusing to hold a press conference, sit down for interviews, or provide timely public updates.
The tragedy came to light on September 29, when deputies responded to the home at 1:17 p.m. The investigation subsequently revealed that 2-year-old Emory Deacon and 15-month-old Harlow Deacon died from starvation and dehydration due to neglect, with the Charleston County Coroner estimating they passed away three to five days before they were found.
Silence and Secrecy Surrounding the Ladson Investigation
For eight days following the discovery, the sheriff’s office maintained a tight information blackout. Deputies initially released a vague statement five hours after arriving at the scene, stating only that two deceased individuals had been found and no arrests had been made. Just 19 minutes after that release, jail records showed that Justine May was booked into the Charleston County Jail. The following morning, court records confirmed May faced two counts of homicide by child abuse, yet the sheriff’s office still refused to go on the record.
Authorities did not officially confirm that the deceased were children until Thursday afternoon, and they declined to specify whether they were May’s children. Paul Bowers, communications director for the South Carolina American Civil Liberties Union, criticized the lack of transparency.
This is something that demands clear answers and clear communication, and we just haven’t seen that from the sheriff’s office yet,
Bowers said. People in Charleston County are right to demand answers in this case, and in any case where the sheriff is ducking and trying to hide.
Although officials initially promised a press conference on the scene last week, none has materialized. Lexi Douglas, a public information officer for the sheriff’s office, stated on Monday that interviews would be scheduled soon, but no media appearances have been confirmed more than a week after the sisters were found.
Sheriff Office Stops Welfare Checks at Ladson Address
Records indicate that the sheriff’s office responded to 13 calls at the Ladson address between August 10 and the day the sisters were found. In one recorded radio transmission, a deputy explicitly stated, We’re no longer conducting welfare checks at that address.
Over the weekend, the sheriff’s office issued a statement asserting that the deputy who made the transmission was following supervisory direction and adhering to established policies. However, deputies have not clarified what that supervisory direction entailed or pointed to any specific written policy explaining why welfare checks were halted.
The agency maintained that no calls for service were placed directly to the home between the last contact and the day the girls were discovered, noting that other entries on the call log merely referenced the home without requesting a deputy’s presence.
A Pattern of Delayed Information and Ongoing Scrutiny
The handling of the Ladson case mirrors previous communication hurdles since Carl Ritchie assumed office in January 2025. On September 9, a Charleston County deputy died in a crash on Ladson Road, but other regional law enforcement agencies posted condolences long before the sheriff’s office confirmed any details.
The Al Cannon Detention Center instituted a policy requiring a 72-hour wait before posting inmate booking photos or arrest information. During his 2024 campaign, Ritchie frequently emphasized the necessity of openness, declaring that Charleston County deserved accountability and transparency from its Sheriff.
Since taking office, Ritchie has not participated in a one-on-one interview with Live 5 News, relying instead on blanket statements. Before his election, he criticized former Sheriff Kristin Graziano over inmate treatment and deaths inside the jail, asserting that the administration remains responsible for the care of individuals in custody. Five inmates have died behind the jail’s doors since Ritchie took office, while requests for interviews and direct answers continue to be declined.
With critical questions about prior welfare checks, supervisory directives, and investigative timelines still unaddressed, community members and civil rights advocates continue pressing for accountability as the legal proceedings move forward.
